Whose Security?

How Washington Protects Itself And The Corporate Sector

| by Noam Chomsky

( July 2, 2014, Boston, Sri Lanka Guardian ) The question of how foreign policy is determined is a crucial one in world affairs. In these comments, I can only provide a few hints as to how I think the subject can be productively explored, keeping to the United States for several reasons. First, the U.S. is unmatched in its global significance and impact. Second, it is an unusually open society, possibly uniquely so, which means we know more about it. Finally, it is plainly the most important case for Americans, who are able to influence policy choices in the U.S. — and indeed for others, insofar as their actions can influence such choices. The general principles, however, extend to the other major powers, and well beyond.

Whose Security by Maria Anderson

Four feared dead in Kenya plane crash

WEDNESDAY 02 JULY 2014

Four crew members are feared dead after a cargo plane crashes into a commercial building in Kenya's capital Nairobi.

The plane, which was carrying the mild stimulant khat crashed shortly after taking off from Nairobi's main airport. Television footage showed the tail and wings of the plane ripped in half, next to a wrecked two storey building.

Kenya Airports @Kenya_Airports

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4people on board the cargo plane that crashed at Utawala are feared to have perished as @TransportKE investigations team arrive at the site.

12:39 AM - 2 Jul 2014

The Kenyan Airports Authority (KAA) said all crew members were "feared to have perished". Kenyan media reported there were four crew members killed.

"A Fokker 50 cargo plane with four people on board has this morning crashed at a commercial building in Utawala after taking off from JKIA," KAA said on its Twitter feed.

KAA also sent its condolences via Twitter to the families of those who died in the crash.

The plane was understood to be carrying a cargo of the mild stimulant khat (pictured, above).

A Foreign Policy for Main Street America

How to convince the heartland that the world matters.

• BY ROBERT D. HORMATS-JULY 1, 2014

American foreign-policy leadership today and in the coming years will depend to a substantial degree on the vigor and strength of our nation's society and economy. America's leaders will be hard pressed to obtain sustained support at home and credibility abroad for this nation's foreign policy without substantial progress on a host of as yet inadequately addressed domestic social and economic challenges.

A Foreign Policy for Main Street America by Maria Anderson

More fighting in Ukraine as ministers prepare Berlin meeting

BY RICHARD BALMFORTH AND NATALIA ZINETS-KIEV Wed Jul 2, 2014 

(Reuters) - Ukrainian government forces pressed on with a military drive against pro-Russian separatists on Wednesday as Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France prepared a meeting of foreign ministers to try to bring the crisis in Ukraine's east under control.

More Fighting in Ukraine as Ministers Prepare Berlin Meeting by Maria Anderson

Video: violence in Jerusalem after Palestinian 

teen found dead

Published on Jul 2, 2014

Clashes break out after Palestinian teen's body found in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem (CNN) -- The discovery of a Palestinian teen's body in Jerusalem early Wednesday triggered clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, further inflaming tensions that spiked this week with the discovery of the bodies of three Israeli teens.

Video Violence in Jerusalem After Palestinian Teen Found Dead by Maria Anderson

Thousands stage Hong Kong pro-democracy march

Protest march follows informal poll on democratic reform branded by China as "illegal and invalid".

 01 Jul 2014

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents began marching through the streets of the former British colony to push for greater democracy in a rally fuelled by anger over Beijing's recent warning that it holds the ultimate authority over the southern Chinese financial center.

Thousands Stage Hong Kong Pro-Democracy March by Maria Anderson

Antibiotics: is David Cameron about to save the world?

WEDNESDAY 02 JULY 2014

The rise in antibiotic resistance, and lack of new drugs to cope, is set to be a disaster for humanity - or that is what many scientists warn. And now David Cameron might prevent it (yes, really).

Antibiotics is David Cameron About to Save the World by Maria Anderson

Mending Fences With Muslims As Rats Desert Mahinda’s Sinking Ship

| by Pearl Thevanayagam

(June 30, 2014, Bradford UK, Sri Lanka Guardian) As UNHRC intensifies its probe into war crimes it is pertinent to note Sri Lanka is adding more ammo through its stubborn stance of militarising the whole nation. Just as it fortified North and East post-war and empowered its military towards re-constructing and repairing damaged properties thereby side-lining Tamils into providing them with employment in the process, it is doing the same in the South where Muslim properties were vandalised by dark elements of extremist Buddhist forces.

Two hundred million rupees are allocated to the military to repair the damage and destruction done to Muslims in the South which is half of the actual loss which is Rs 400 million according MP Azath Sally.

It is only fair that Muslims are entrusted with rebuilding their damaged properties and compensate for business losses and not the security forces. It is the security forces who remained silent throughout the mayhem caused by BBS.

As Muslims begin the fast in this Holy month leading to Ramadan the government would do very well to at least show some compassion as Lord Buddha preached and give hope to rebuild their lives. By entrusting the funds provided to give employment for Muslims the government might regain its lost confidence among the Muslims albeit too late.

The demonstration by diaspora Muslims in front of UN compound in Geneva will not go un-noticed. Rather it will strengthen evidence already available to pressurise the government into accounting for tis war crimes and injustice to minorities.

If Muslims do not want to go the same route as war –ravaged Tamils then it is incumbent on Muslim parliamentarians to immediately put a stop to military intervention in rebuilding the damaged Muslim South enclaves. Muslim nations have been alerted to the government’s strategy of enslaving minorities through recent anti-Muslim activities directly orchestrated by Gotabhaya, the Defence Secretary who is also entrusted with Urban Development Authority.

All signs out there show Sri Lanka is descending into a military state such as Myanmar and Pakistan under Musharaff.

Mainstream media and social blogs which earlier applauded the President for his victory over LTTE terrorism are now disgruntled with the government as is seen in the changing attitude of editorials. The government is bent on committing social suicide before the UNHRC probe begins in final investigations as is shown in recent upsurge of extremist Sinhala forces agitating and inciting hatred towards minorities.

Senior ministers within the government are showing discontent with the President’s increasing reliance on his empowering the family and the military to his own detriment.

The ministers Mahinda surrounds himself with have a history of bed-hopping. Forgetting the opposition, the enemies are his best mates at the moment. Before the blink of an eye the three armed forces can unseat the government as history in Myanmar and Pakistan proved.

The government will have nowhere to turn to when this happens.

If Tamil parties including upcountry Tamils and Muslim political groups join forces as is portended then this wold be the death-knell for the government and which is eagerly awaited by most Sri Lankans including the majority Sinhalese. Sri Lankans have had enough of the North Korean style of governance which is extravagant motor races in the close proximity of sacred places, granting license to operate Vegas style casinos and looking the other way when foreign prostitutes descend here as artistes and hostesses of gambling dens.

Even the government’s denial of providing visas to UNHRC team would not deter it from taking it before the International Criminal Court and its fate would not be different from those of Yugoslavia’s Slobodan Milosovic and several African and South East Asian leaders.

In its 2014 report US states The Fragile States Index ranks Sri Lanka in 30th place among 178 countries. This too will be added to the piles of evidence so far gathered against Sri Lanka.

(The writer has been a journalist for 25 years and worked in national newspapers as sub-editor, news reporter and news editor. She was Colombo Correspondent for Times of India and has contributed to Wall Street Journal where she was on work experience from The Graduate School of Journalism, UC Berkeley, California. Currently residing in UK she is also co-founder of EJN (Exiled Journalists Network) UK in 2005 the membership of which is 200 from 40 countries. She can be reached at thevanayagampearl@yahoo.co.uk)

Weak Mahinda Vs Kshama Factor And The ‘Common Candidate’ Debate

By TU Senan -July 1, 2014

TU Senan

Challenging times pose challenging questions. For the left this is especially the case as we task ourselves to play a leading role in the fight for a better life for all. In Sri Lanka where the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa is crushing democratic rights and stands accused of genocidal slaughter this is especially so. Every twist and turn of strategy and tactics must involve a serious weighing up of ideas and historical lessons if it can play any useful role.

The attack on Muslims in Sri Lanka has provoked huge anger. Given there is evidence of government involvement, it has the potential to enormously weaken the regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR). So the prospect that MR will get neither the votes of Tamils or Muslims nor of progressive Sinhalese is a factor in the discussion about bringing forward a ‘common candidate’ of the opposition to defeat him.

Debating the strategy to bring down MR is likely to dominate Sri Lankan politics until the presidential election. Although the idea of putting forward a ‘common candidate’ originated from the left, unbelievably the arguments that are linked to it have ruled out a potential left challenge. This debate must be re-opened. So-called left intellectuals, who claim to be ‘down to earth’ and ‘practical’, propose that the devil is to be challenged with a demon.

A number of questions will be posed if a possible left challenge is suggested. From previous betrayals to the current examples of sectarianism, the crimes of the left will be listed. But the key question is this: should we seek regime change or a change that will provide a meaningful transformation of life for the masses in Sri Lanka? Bringing down Mr Devil at all costs is one thing – but what replaces him is a vital question. Tamils, workers, Muslims have all suffered miserably at the hands of the neoliberal UNP.

                                   Read More

THE AGONY OF SRI LANKA’S MUSLIMS

A Sri Lankan Muslim gestures toward his charred home in Aluthgama. Lakruwan Wanniarachchi—AFP

BY FRANCES HARRISON-JUN 30 2014

AN EXTREMIST BUDDHIST GROUP HAS TAKEN STEPS TO EXPEL MUSLIMS FROM THE ISLAND KINGDOM, SILENCING DISSENT THROUGH PROPAGANDA AND INTIMIDATION.

After three Sri Lankan Muslims were killed and thousands more were forced to shelter in mosques and schools, many having lost everything in the worst communal violence in decades, the minister of Public Relations, Mervyn Silva, went on TV and offered to marry a Muslim woman to make up for it.

The Agony of Sri Lanka’s Muslims by Maria Anderson

Aluthgama post mortems, suspicious - SLMC

Published on Monday, 30 June 2014 12:35

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress says that the post mortem reports of those killed in the Beruwala and Aluthgama clashes are highly suspicious.

Speaking to the BBC yesterday, SLMC General Secretary M.T. Hasan Ali has said that post mortem reports of victims shot dead, cite the reason for death as being stabbed by a knife. Ali has added that he had no faith in police investigations.

Ali said that upon visiting the Balapitiya hospital, he saw that all persons admitted had faced gunshots.

The SLMC urges President Mahinda Rajapaksa to appoint a presidential commission to probe into the clash.

The SLMC General Secretary says that the commission should comprise of members belonging to Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim masses.

Meanwhile, the Bar Association is to take measures on the above statement of the SLMC made over the post mortem reports.

President of the Bar Association Upul Jayasuriya has hinted that a request to courts to exhume the victims' remains could be such a step.

Rajapaksa Regime’s Deceptions And Sri Lanka’s International Obligations

By Chandra Kumarage -July 1, 2014 

Chandra Kumarage

‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.’ Walter Scott, Marmion.

‘When one with honeyed words but evil mind persuades the mob, great woes befall the State,’ Euripedes, Orestes.

The government of Sri Lanka has again used Parliament to adopt a resolution rejecting the appointment by the OHCHR to probe the human rights violations including war crimes alleged to have been committed by the Armed forces of the GOSL during the last phase of the war with the LTTE in April-May 2009.

The resolution states, ‘To demonstrate its commitment to protecting democracy and human rights and protect the people’s democratic rights and human rights, the government will undertake to conduct impartial investigations into the following incidents and submit a report to Parliament within three months and bring those responsible for the incidents to justice.’

On the face of it is very clear that the whole resolution is irrelevant in the context of the powers of the President and the cabinet. No resolutions in Parliament are necessary to conduct impartial investigations. The investigating arm of the Sri Lanka police is quite capable of conducting such investigations. Furthermore, the President has power to appoint Presidential Commission of Inquiry under the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Act. There have been many such Commission inquiries but the whole world knows about the outcome of those inquiries. What this resolution is endevouring in the final analysis is the same thing — to appoint a panel or commission of inquiry. In fact President Rajapaksa promised in the joint statement with Ban Ki-moon the UNSG in May 2009 to hold such an inquiry to probe all human rights and humanitarian law violations alleged to have been committed during the war with the LTTE. The government first appointed the LLRC and was not able to convince the international community, as it failed even to fully implement the recommendations of that LLRC. Then it appointed a military commission of inquiry ex-parte which cleared the armed forces of any violations of the law. The government was requested many a time thereafter by the international community to probe the alleged violations through a transparent and impartial inquiry. What the government did right through was hedging and deceiving the international community. Now the international community is saying in Neitzsche’s words , “I am not upset that you lied to me, I am upset that from now I can’t believe you.”Deception is the brand name of the government of the Rajapaksa brothers, and professorG.L. Pieris is its brand ambassador. Deception, it must be said, has a short life span which could bring disaster at the end. Their latest product under that brand name is this parliamentary resolution.                                                      Read More

Army’s intelligence chief to the US!

 

Tuesday, 01 July 2014 

It has been decided to immediately send Col. Suresh Salley, the head of the Army’s intelligence unit accused by UNP’s communication division chief Mangala Samaraweera of aiding Bodu Bala Sena, for a military training in the US. Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has ordered Army chief Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake that he be sent for an overseas training.

Following MP Samaraweera’s exposure, Muslims are exerting pressure on the state intelligence service, especially on Suresh Salley, a Malay, whose mother and wife both are Sinhalese.

The Army chief has also decided to temporarily transfer Army intelligence unit’s Muslim unit head Maj. Mohamed.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry is having doubts as to whether Suresh Salley will be able to obtain visa to the US, as the State Department has already refused visa for BBS general secretary Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera. Anyhow, the US military academy has expressed agreement to to provide a special training for Suresh Salley.

Aluthgama Violence Scares Schoolchildren

By Waruni Karunarathne-Tuesday, July 01, 2014

The incidents that took place recently in Aluthgama and Beruwela have definitely had an adverse psychological impact on youth who were affected and displaced due to the violence. The clear drop in student attendance in Muslim schools in the affected area is a sign of fear among the community even though the government claims that the situation in the area has been brought back to normalcy.

Zonal Education Director of the Kalutara Zonal Education Office Priyani Mudalige added that they declared the reopening of the schools in the affected area, last Monday. According to Divisional Secretary of the Beruwela Divisional Secretariat Janaka Sri Chandraguptha, all the schools in the area had returned to normalcy. However principals of several Muslim schools in the area told The Sunday Leader that there was a massive absence of students as well as staff and in some schools there were hardly any students at all.

Therefore the principals have requested the Zonal Education Office for schools to be kept closed considering the emotional status of the students. According to the principals, there is only one week left before the school holidays.

Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranathunga had reported that Al-Humai-zara College, Zahira College, Samsudeen Muslim College, Aluthgama Maha Vidyalaya, Sri Gnanissara Maha Vidyala, D.S. Senanayake College, Kaluwamodara Middle School and the Beruwela Roman Catholic College however remained closed since those schools had been providing accommodation to displaced communities at the time.

Even though the Zonal Education Office declared the reopening of the schools by Monday, some schools were not functional and did not have a suitable environment for reopening, several principals noted.

The School Management team of the Al-Humai-zara National College, China Fort, Beruwela added that on Monday when school started there were only six teachers and thereafter school was closed for the remaining four days of the second term. A member of the staff added, “Those six teachers live close to the school.

There are 73 teachers in the school and 23 are from Dharga Town which was most affected. This is a boys’ school and it is nearly impossible to control them especially under these circumstances”. According to them the school provided accommodation for 999 displaced persons (267 families) and by last Saturday most of the families were sent back to their homes but the schools had to intervene to settle several remaining families in order to reopen the school by Monday,” the staff member said.

He added, “The students missed the second term exams that were scheduled from 17th to 27th of June. Even though the A/L students were on study leave, we had plans to conduct revisions and this incident has clearly affected their state of mind”.

Aluthgama Veediya Muslim Ladies College in Dharga Town also reported a massive drop in student attendance. A staff member of the school added, “In this area, almost all the children were affected by the incident. Some of their houses were burnt down along with their books and uniforms and some of them are still displaced. We cannot expect them to return to school as if nothing has happened. Most of them are still scared”. According to her, there are 1200 students in the school, but only about two hundred students had turned up for classes last week.

According to her, the principals of the schools in the area had requested the government to keep the schools closed for the remaining few days of the school term considering the students’ state of mind. However she added that the authorities insisted that all the schools should be reopened by last Monday just to show the world that everything had returned to normalcy – which is not the case.

A principal of one of the Muslim schools in Aluthgama added, “It is necessary to establish a friendly environment for studying before reopening the schools. In a blink of an eye, their lives will not get back to normal – the fear they experienced will not be erased. Most of their parents have lost their livelihoods and are experiencing irrecoverable losses and that will directly affect the education of the students and their mental state”.

Another principal of the area pointed out that it is crucial to assure students that they are safe in this environment, but steps need to be taken to address their psychosocial issues in order to give that assurance. He said, “The government needs to be committed to providing that assurance. Experiencing such violence can give way for post traumatic stress disorder and similar mental and emotional health issues”.

He added that especially when it comes to young children they are fragile and they do not have the capacity for analytical thinking – and therefore it will not only leave scars but could contribute to developing hatred towards other religious and ethnic groups and towards the community as a whole. Therefore he pointed out the necessity for reconciliation between communities in order to avoid further clashes in the future.

In the meantime, Zonal Education Director of the Kalutara Zonal Education Office Priyani Mudalige assured that students had attended school last week even though there wasn’t full attendance. She added that they did not consider the principals’ request to keep the schools closed for the remaining few days of the school term as the situation had reverted to normal and there were no reports or complaints of any incidents. However she added that since students missed the second term exams, they have decided to hold the examinations once the schools reopen after the fasting season.

When asked about what measures would be taken to address the educational needs of the affected students, she added that they would consider providing the required books and uniforms to those students with the help of the Divisional Secretariat. She added they would also launch awareness campaigns on religious and ethnic harmony to build positive thinking and assure students of their safety.